Working and living in the historical city of Kudelstaart, the Netherlands at the waterfront of the Westeinder lakes and very near to Aalsmeer, the international centre of the famous worldwide flower export , Jaap has his Small Yard where he maintaines and restoures his carefully selected classic yachts.

It is not surprising that water and boats are both a passion and a source of inspiration. An affinity for beautifull materials, crafts and craftmanship and universal understanding of natural harmony are the basic ingredients of his attraction to traditional boats. It all comes down to natural beautifull materials and the craftmanship with which it has been handled and shaped. Furthermore, he is very fond of tradition. Tradition in culture is gained by generations after generations and this can be easily lost if one generation looses track or are not educated within the basic aspects of it. All this together makes him look at the Northern European small wooden sailing craft, which itself is an art of craftmanship and tradition worthwile to treasure and maintain for future generations.

Photographs :: Jaap van der Weijden